Multi-Chamber Steam Cooking with Common Generator and Valve Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam cooking devices are costly due to individual heaters per chamber and suffer from latency and inefficiency in steam delivery, leading to inconsistent heating.
Innovation Solution
A device with a common steam generator serving multiple chambers, where valves control steam admission based on the steam generator's operation, ensuring consistent steam delivery and reducing energy waste by operating the generator periodically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual heaters are provided for each chamber, then each chamber can be heated independently, but the machine becomes expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual chamber heaters are merged into a single common steam generator that serves all chambers. The steam generator produces steam that is distributed to multiple chambers through a distribution manifold, eliminating the need for separate heaters in each chamber while maintaining independent heating capability through individually controllable valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The common steam generator is designed to serve multiple functions by providing steam to multiple different chambers simultaneously or sequentially. This universal steam generation system replaces the need for dedicated heating devices in each chamber, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Quantity of substance
If water is pumped through heaters at a slow rate to generate steam, then steam is produced, but there is a significant delay in steam delivery to the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is operated in advance to build up a reservoir of steam in the distribution manifold before steam is needed in the chambers. By pre-generating and storing steam in the manifold, the system eliminates delivery latency when chambers require steam, as the steam is already available for immediate distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generator operates periodically in bursts to generate and store steam in the distribution manifold, rather than operating continuously at a slow rate. This periodic operation allows the system to accumulate steam reserves that can be quickly distributed to multiple chambers when needed, reducing overall delivery time.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the valve is closed prematurely to control steam delivery time, then heating programme timing is maintained, but the amount of steam delivered may be less than intended
Solution Approach 1:
Steam is pre-generated and stored in the distribution manifold before the heating programme requires it. This preliminary steam generation ensures that when the valve opens, there is sufficient steam already available in the manifold to deliver the intended quantity to the chamber within the required time frame, eliminating the need to close the valve prematurely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the steam generation rate in the manifold based on the timing requirements of the heating programme. By increasing the steam generation rate in advance and storing it in the manifold, the system can then open the valve for a shorter duration while still delivering the full intended steam quantity, maintaining both timing precision and steam quantity.
4Ease of manufacture
If a common steam generator serves multiple chambers, then production cost is reduced, but control over steam delivery timing to each chamber becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A distribution manifold is introduced as an intermediary between the common steam generator and the multiple chambers. The manifold receives steam from the generator and distributes it to individual chambers through separate conduits and valves, simplifying the control architecture by decoupling the steam generation control from the steam distribution control to each chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam distribution system is segmented into independent pathways from the common manifold to each chamber, with individually controllable valves. This segmentation allows each chamber's steam delivery timing to be controlled independently through simple valve operations, rather than requiring complex coordinated control of a single steam source to multiple destinations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces production costs, minimizes latency in steam delivery, and ensures efficient heating by using a more powerful steam generator, ensuring all produced steam reaches the chambers, thereby improving control and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator... operated to produce steam
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator... operated to produce steam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A food heating device comprises a plurality of chambers (2a,b,c,d,e,f) capable of receiving respective food items. The device further comprises a steam generator (36) and a plurality of valves (8a,b,c) for controlling admittance of steam from said steam generator (36) into said chambers (2a,b,c,d,e,f). The device is arranged to operate in at least one mode in which during a first period a first one of said valves (8a,b,c) is open and at least one of said valves (8a,b,c) remains closed and wherein said steam generator (36) is operated to produce steam for a time less than said first period.